Tag Archives: Top 50 Pro Bono Attorneys In Arizona Award

Bryan Cave LLP Phoenix Partner Megan Lennox and Associates PJ Rivera and Gustavo Schneider have been chosen by the Arizona Foundation for Legal Services & Education as recipients of its 2012 Top 50 Pro Bono Attorneys In Arizona Award. The foundation established this award in 2001 to recognize attorneys who have tirelessly given their time and experience to assist Arizonans who would otherwise have no legal resources.

All three attorneys were nominated by Volunteer Lawyers Program (VLP). Founded in 1981, the VLP unites those in need with volunteer lawyers whose counsel gives thousands of Arizonans hope for a better life. VLP is co-sponsored by Community Legal Services and the Maricopa County Bar Association.

Lennox volunteers her time each month at the Tumbleweeds Young Adult Center, where she counsels teens at their legal clinic. In addition, Lennox regularly works with VLP on child guardianship and adoption matters. She also recently obtained a sizeable award for an elderly woman who had been exposed to asbestos fibers as a result of faulty home improvement work. Lennox practices with the Environmental Group and has state and federal court litigation experience with an emphasis on Superfund cost recovery and defense, environmental and commercial insurance coverage claims and general commercial litigation.

Nominated for his work on guardianship cases, Rivera is a native Spanish speaker, and often serves VLP clients who do not speak English or are unable to understand the required paperwork and process. Rivera, whose own son suffers from Autism, also often handles cases for families with autistic children that need continued family support once they reach adulthood. Rivera is a member of Bryan Cave’s Intellectual Property Group and is a registered patent attorney.

Schneider was nominated for his work on adoptions, as well as adult and child guardianship cases. Like Rivera, Schneider is a native Spanish speaker who often works with VPL clients that do not speak English. In addition to adoptions and guardianship matters, he has also litigated and negotiated landlord tenant disputes for VPL clients. In 2011, Schneider was awarded the “For Love of Justice New Volunteer Attorney of the Year” award by VLP. Schneider’s practice at Bryan Cave focuses on commercial real estate and finance, with an emphasis on CMBS loan servicing matters.

“We very proud to have three of our attorneys included in the Top 50 Pro Bono Attorneys. This recognition reflects the dedication that these lawyers have to providing critical legal services to families unable to afford those services, as well as our law firm’s support of that commitment to providing access to Justice,” said Phoenix Managing Partner Jay Zweig.

Lennox, Schneider and Rivera were honored at a ceremony Saturday, April 6, 2013.